Middlesex man charged in Green Brook burglary may have committed others in Somerset County, investigators say

SOMERVILLE — A Middlesex man who allegedly posed as an energy company salesman has been charged with a residential burglary in Green Brook on April 26.

He may also be responsible for other burglaries in the county, investigators say.

Timothy Whitmore, 25, of Orchard Road was apprehended on April 26 by detectives of a burglary task force from Bound Brook, Bridgewater and the county Prosecutor’s Office. The task force was formed to investigate a wave of burglaries in those municipalities that began at the beginning of March, according to Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano.

Soriano gave the following account.

The task force, acting on similarities among residential burglaries in Bound Brook and Bridgewater, identified Whitmore as a suspect. On April 26, detectives followed Whitmore’s white four-door Nissan Altima into Bound Brook and watched as he walked from house to house knocking on doors to see if anyone was home.

If someone was home, Whitmore would ask whether the person was interested in switching energy companies and would schedule an appointment.

In Green Brook, detectives watched Whitmore go behind two separate homes then return to the Altima after a short period of time. As some detectives followed Whitmore, others confirmed that a burglary had occurred at a Briar Circle residence.

Whitmore continued to DIA Jewelers on Front Street in Plainfield. When he came out, detectives took him into custody and arrested him. He was found to have in his possession a “large amount of burglary proceeds.” Detectives also recovered the jewelry Whitmore had allegedly sold to DIA Jewelers.

Greg Dowles of Bound Brook may have been a victim of another burglary committed by Whitmore. Dowles said that he was told by Bound Brook police on April 27, the day after Whitmore was arrested, that police had arrested a Middlesex man who confessed to committing five burglaries in Bound Brook.

"He has only been charged with one burglary at this time," Prosecutor's Office spokesman Jack Bennett said of Whitmore. "Our investigation regarding other burglaries and his involvement is continuing."

Whitmore was charged with burglary and theft and had been brought to the county jail where bail was set at $25,000.